Launch of the ‘Post-Brexit Citizenship Status: Divided by the Rules?’ conference report and discussion of the ‘Manifesto for a Rights Based Return to Power Sharing’, featuring a keynote address from Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Tony Lloyd MP.

In March 2019, the Equality Coalition, in partnership with BrexitLawNI, held a major conference on ‘Post-Brexit Citizenship Status: Divided by the Rules?’ in the Moot Court Room at Queen’s University Belfast. Featuring expert practioner and political panels, the conference explored how Brexit will transform the citizenship landscape in Northern Ireland and could lead to hardened entitlement boundaries between different groups of citizens here.

Following on from the announcement of talks to reinstate the Stormont institutions, the Equality Coalition published a ‘Manifesto for a Rights Based Return to Power Sharing’ in late April 2019. The manifesto calls for the reestablishment of power sharing on a sustainable basis, centred on three key strands: the implementation of rights provisions in the peace settlement, adherence to international rights obligations, and ensuring power is ‘working within the rules’.

With Brexit looming and talks to restore power sharing government now ongoing, what happens next could have wide-reaching consequences for the future of rights and equality in Northern Ireland. Join us at this event to explore some of the key issues at play. Speakers and panellists will include academics, equality experts and political representatives. There will be a Q&A session and lunch will be provided in advance of the event from 12.30pm.